Method of reducing spinal implant migration

• US 7,749,275 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Inventors: Einhorn, Jacob, Moore, Robert Kevin, Lambrecht, Gregory H.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMANA, ANURADHA
• Application Number:
  US10/945,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20050038519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,115 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716, 623/1.11, 623/1.12, 623/1.2, 623/1.22, 623/1.23, 606151-157
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0057 Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320708 Curettes, e.g. hollow scraping instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7095 the filler comprising unlinked macroscopic particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00637 for sealing trocar wounds through abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00654 entirely comprised between the two sides of the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00659 located only on one side of the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 : having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 : with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 : Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 : used as instrument channel for multiple instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 : penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 : for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4514 : Cartilage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2846 : Support means for bone substitute or for bone graft implants, e.g. membranes or plates for covering bone defects nets or sleeves applied to surface of endoprostheses A61F2/30907; bone plates A61B17/80; bone regeneration in dental surgery A61C8/0006
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30723 : Plugs or restrictors for sealing a cement-receiving space tools for inserting plugs A61F2/4614; sealing collars for use during cementing A61B17/8808
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 : Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 : made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 : Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4601 : for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 : of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 : Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 : Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 : (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30075 : swellable, e.g. when wetted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30131 : horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30228 : Cylinders of elliptical or oval basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30291 : spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 : retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30571 : Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 : filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30589 : Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 : Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 : Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 : for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 : comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4658 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4661 : for measuring thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4662 : for measuring penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 : swellable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 : hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 : Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 : helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 : Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/0097 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

Devices for implantation into an intervertebral disc can include a membrane support member to augment a disc having a defect. A defect in the anulus of a disc can be repaired using a prosthesis such as a barrier. The barrier can include a sealant and an enlarger. The barrier can be implanted into the disc using a delivery cannula, an advancer and at least one control filament to control the positioning of the barrier. A stiffening element can be included within the barrier to impart stiffness to the barrier. The support member can also be connected to an anchor.

Claims

1. A method of reducing implant migration within a spine comprising:

identifying a defect in an anulus of the intervertebral disc,

wherein the defect is bordered by an outermost layer of the anulus and an innermost layer of the anulus,

wherein the innermost layer of the anulus borders a nucleus pulposus;

selecting an implantation site within a spine, wherein said spine has a first spinal region and a second spinal region,

wherein said first spinal region is characterized by a mobility or a curvature that is greater than said second spinal region;

providing an implant, wherein said implant has a first implant region and a second implant region,

wherein said first implant region and said second implant region are contiguous,

wherein said first implant region is more flexible than said second implant region;

inserting the implant through and entirely beyond the defect and into the space occupied by the nucleus pulposus,

wherein the insertion of the implant is performed without removing any portion of the intervertebral disc so as not to cause disc height loss;

implanting said first implant region in the first spinal region; and

implanting said second implant region in the second spinal region, thereby reducing migration of the implant within the spine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantation site is along an inner surface of an anulus of an intervertebral disc.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first spinal region is a posterior anulus bordered by a lateral anulus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first spinal region is an anulus bordered by a vertebral endplate.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing an implant further comprises providing a membrane and an expander.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing an implant further comprises providing a membrane and an expander, wherein said expander comprises one or more struts or fingers.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein providing an implant further comprises providing an implant that is substantially stiff along at least one axis.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein providing an implant further comprises providing an implant that is substantially flexible along at least one axis.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein providing an implant further comprises providing an implant that comprises at least one slot and at least one strut.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein providing an implant further comprises providing an implant that comprises a patch, an expander, a strut, and a slot, wherein said slot promotes bending of the expander and a finger along a central axis.